The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas

Beloved:
This is how we know
that we have come to know Jesus:
if we keep his commandments.
The one who says that they know him
but does keep his commandments,
is a liar and the truth is not in them.
But whoever keeps his word,
God’s love has most certainly been perfected in him.
This is how we know that we are in him:
the one who says that they remain in him
ought themself also walk just like he walked.

Beloved, I write no new commandment to you,
but an old commandment
which you had from the beginning.
The old commandment is the word which you heard.
Still, The commandment I write to you is new,
which is true in him and in you;
because the darkness is passing away,
and the true light already shines.
The one who says they are in the light
but hates their brother,
is in the darkness even until now.
The one who loves their brother remains in the light,
and there is no occasion for stumbling in them,
but the one who hates their brother is in the darkness,
and walks in the darkness,
and does not know where they are going,
because the darkness has blinded their eyes.

Responsorial – Psalm 96.1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6 Resp. 11a

R. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice.

Sing to the Lord a new song!
Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord! Bless his name!

R. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice.

Proclaim his salvation from day to day!
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples.

R. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice.

The Lord made the heavens.
Glory and majesty are before his face.
Strength and exultation are in his sanctuary.

R. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice.

Gospel – Luke 2.22-35

When the days were fulfilled of
their purification according to the law of Moses
Mary and Joseph brought Jesus up to Jerusalem,
to present him to the Lord
as it is written in the law of the Lord:
“Every male who opens the womb
shall be called holy to the Lord”,
and to offer a sacrifice
according to that which is said
in the law of the Lord:
“A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”

Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem
whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
looking for the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was on him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
He came in the Spirit into the temple.

When the parents brought in the child, Jesus,
to do concerning him according to the custom of the law,
he took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
“Now you may release your servant, Master,
according to your word, in peace;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;
a light for revelation to the nations,
and the glory of your people Israel.”

Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things
which were spoken concerning him,
and Simeon blessed them,
and said to Mary, his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the falling and the rising of many in Israel,
and for a sign which will be contradicted.
(Indeed, a sword will pierce through your own soul)
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”